NBL1 West Recap | Women's Friday Round 8

A stunning debut from Parker Esary has seen the Perth Redbacks snap a three-game NBL1 West Women's losing streak with a Friday night Round 8 win at home to the East Perth Eagles.

It was the lone match up on Friday night to open Round 8 of the 2022 NBL1 West season with the Redbacks looking to stop their run of three losses with the Eagles also having lost two straight.

In the end, the major difference between the teams was Parker Esary who was playing her first game for the Redbacks. 

The recent University of Providence graduate was a dominant presence down low to finish with 25 points and 15 rebounds in the Redbacks' 76-69 victory at Belmont Oasis. Maria Blazejewski put up 21 points for the Eagles.

Round 8 in the NBL1 West Women's competition continues at 5pm on Saturday evening with the Joondalup Wolves hosting the Mandurah Magic and the South West Slammers at home to the Warwick Senators.

Then at 5.30pm, the Cockburn Cougars will be taking on the Perth Redbacks while at 6pm, the Lakeside Lightning host the Goldfields Giants and the Rockingham Flames face the Willetton Tigers.

The round will then wrap up on Sunday from 11am with the Perry Lakes Hawks at home to the Goldfields Giants at Bendat Basketball Centre.

NBL1 WEST – 2022 WOMEN'S SEASON
ROUND 8 – FRIDAY NIGHT

PERTH REDBACKS 76 defeated EAST PERTH EAGLES 69

It was the battle between two teams desperate for a win and as a result it was a tight battle between the Perth Redbacks and East Perth Eagles at Belmont Oasis on Friday night.

The Redbacks had lost their past three matches coming into the game on their home court to open Round 8 in the NBL1 West competition while the Eagles were coming off a pair of narrow losses to the Lakeside Lightning and South West Slammers

Both teams used the occasion to unveil a new signing as well with the Redbacks gaining the services of a new import big, recent University of Providence graduate Parker Esary.

She provided the Redbacks that size and focal point up front they haven’t had since the departure of Maddie Allen while the Eagles added their own powerful force up front with Ellyce Ironmonger making her debut for East Perth.

Having previously played with the Joondalup Wolves, Lakeside Lightning and Kalamunda Eastern Suns establishing herself as one of the best centres in the league over a 184-game career to date.

The new frontcourt signings went to battle with one another right from the outset with Ironmonger hitting a lovely fadeaway mid-range jumper to get things rolling.

However, it was a totally different looking Redbacks outfit with the presence down low with Esary there especially with her ferocious attack on the offensive rebounds.

She was instrumental in Perth leading 18-11 by the end of the first quarter but a succession of three-point bombs from Jorjah Smith to open the second quarter suddenly not only had East Perth back into the contest, but in front.

The Redbacks were able to shake that off, though, and still take a 34-32 advantage into the half-time break. They were then able to extend their advantage to 49-41 by three quarter-time.

While the Eagles did keep fighting, they could never quite get close enough and the Redbacks prevailed 76-69 to improve to 3-6 which is where East Perth also sit now after the loss.

It was a spectacular debut for the Redbacks by Parker Ebsary who only graduated from the University of Providence earlier in 2022. She delivered 25 points, 15 rebounds and two assists while shooting 10/22 from the floor and 5/6 at the foul line.

Makailah Dyer had a rough shooting night for Perth going 3/15 but she had 12 points and three rebounds with Kayonna Lee contributing 10 points and five rebounds, and Mikayla Pirini 10 points and four boards.

Jess Jakens also finished with eight points and 10 rebounds, and Shenae Hartree eight points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals.

Maria Blazejewski finished with 21 points, seven rebounds and three assists for East Perth with Tahlia Kelly contributing 20 points including going 4/13 from three-point range.

Jorjah Smith added 13 points and six rebounds while hitting 3/9 from beyond the arc with Ellyce Ironmonger contributing 11 points, nine rebounds and four blocked shots.